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Summary: As societies undergo shifts in dietary patterns, there is often an increase in nutrition‐related issues. This is particularly evident in the case of wheat bakery products, which have evolved in an unsustainable way. The fortification of wheat flour with vegetables has emerged as a strategy to mitigate the imbalanced composition of white bread. The objective of this study is to address existing knowledge gaps regarding nutritional quality and technological characteristics of food‐to‐food fortified bakery products. A blend of Beta vulgaris powder (up to 5% of the total weight) was incorporated into commercial wheat white flour, and the resulting composition and technological parameters were analysed throughout the bread‐making process, using standard methods (e.g., AAAC, ISO). The sensory assessment of the tested fortified baking products formulations was conducted. The 178 volunteer consumers noted the differences conveyed by B. vulgaris, but scored the taste and colour as acceptable (6 out of 9). Formulations containing moderate amounts of chard (e.g., 2%) were most appreciated. This study demonstrates that B. vulgaris can be employed to enrich white bread, particularly in minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, in a readily actionable manner that is well accepted by consumers. Furthermore, the use of flour blends contributes to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in wheat availability, thereby enhancing food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Fe deficiency affects food growth and quality in calcareous soils. In this study, the effect of Fe deficiency on growth parameters, phenolic content and antioxidant capacities of two lettuce shoots varieties (Romaine and Vista) were investigated. RESULTS Fresh matter production, pigment (chlorophyll and carotenoid) and Fe2+ content were significantly reduced by Fe deficiency in both varieties. However, restriction of these parameters was particularly pronounced in Romaine variety as compared to Vista. Moreover, Fe deficiency caused decreases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and guaiacol peroxidase, whereas ascorbate peroxidase and malondialdehyde concentrations were not significantly affected. On the other hand, Fe deficiency in Vista variety induced an increase in polyphenol and flavonoid content as compared to Romaine variety. In addition, total antioxidant capacity and antiradical test against DPPH radical decreased in leaves of Romaine variety after 15 days of treatment. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the higher polyphenol content in Vista variety supports the involvement of these components in the stability of antioxidant capacities and then in its protection against oxidative damage generated by Fe deficiency in lettuce plants. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]